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Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes
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Researchers documented microplastic pollution across the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes, finding contamination in all lakes sampled — particularly Lake Erie — with fibers as the dominant particle type, highlighting plastic pollution in a critical freshwater system.
Neuston samples were collected at 21 stations during an ~700 nautical mile (~1300 km) expedition in July 2012 in the Laurentian Great Lakes of the United States using a 333 μm mesh manta trawl and analyzed for plastic debris. Although the average abundance was approximately 43,000 microplastic particles/km², station 20, downstream from two major cities, contained over 466,000 particles/km², greater than all other stations combined. SEM analysis determined nearly 20% of particles less than 1 mm, which were initially identified as microplastic by visual observation, were aluminum silicate from coal ash. Many microplastic particles were multi-colored spheres, which were compared to, and are suspected to be, microbeads from consumer products containing microplastic particles of similar size, shape, texture and composition. The presence of microplastics and coal ash in these surface samples, which were most abundant where lake currents converge, are likely from nearby urban effluent and coal burning power plants.
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Plastic debris in the Laurentian Great Lakes System, North America: Analysis of types, abundances, and sources
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Researchers conducted the first systematic analysis of all sizes and types of plastic debris across all five of the Laurentian Great Lakes. They found that plastic pollution is widespread, with urban areas, shoreline recreation, and nearby industries as the primary sources.
Distribution, Abundance, and Spatial Variability of Microplastic Pollution in Surface Waters of Lake Superior
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Microplastic pollution was surveyed across the surface waters of Lake Superior, providing the first systematic spatial distribution data for the largest of the Laurentian Great Lakes. The study found microplastics throughout the lake and identified patterns of accumulation relevant to understanding how plastics enter and distribute in large freshwater systems.
Plastic debris in the Laurentian Great Lakes: Classification, distribution and environmental drivers
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This paper classifies and reviews plastic debris pollution in the Laurentian Great Lakes, documenting contamination across open water, shoreline, and bottom sediment environments and discussing the long-term ecological and economic consequences. The review calls for coordinated plans to reduce plastic pollution entering this massive freshwater system.
Microplastic contamination in Lake Winnipeg, Canada
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Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in Lake Winnipeg, Canada, finding widespread pollution across the lake with fibers as the dominant particle type, reflecting inputs from the surrounding watershed and atmospheric deposition.
Towards a management strategy for microplastic pollution in the Laurentian Great Lakes - Monitoring (Part 1)
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This review outlines a proposed monitoring strategy for microplastic contamination in the Laurentian Great Lakes, addressing sampling methods, key knowledge gaps, and recommendations to support effective management of plastic pollution in this major freshwater system.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.